Maple Leaf Foods names Kathleen Long vice president of animal care

Maple Leaf Foods today announced the promotion of Kathleen Long to vice president of animal care. In her new role, she will lead the company’s animal care policies and programs in all livestock and poultry production and processing operations.

Long joined Maple Leaf Foods in 2013 and supported the company’s animal care strategy in her previous role. “Ensuring animal care is essential to achieving our goal of becoming the most sustainable protein company on earth,” said Randall Huffman, chief food safety and sustainability officer at Maple Leaf Foods, in a press release.

“Dr. Long has played a key role in our poultry welfare programs and will continue to advance our world-class animal care program throughout all livestock and poultry operations. Her specialized knowledge, expertise and leadership are highly recognized within Maple Leaf Foods and across the animal health industry.”

Long holds a bachelor of science in agriculture with a major in animal science from the University of Alberta and a doctor of veterinary medicine from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, where she completed advanced coursework in both poultry and swine management, nutrition, reproduction, and health.

She also completed a master of avian health and medicine through the University of Georgia and is a Diplomate of the American College of Poultry Veterinarians.